Pampaloite is an extremely rare antimony-gold oxide mineral discovered in the Pampalo gold mine in Finland. It typically occurs as small yellowish aggregates closely associated with primary gold and aurostibite mineralization. Collectors are unlikely to encounter this species outside of specialized research collections.
Is this pampaloite?
4-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pampaloite with a known reference. Pampaloite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: no internal reflections.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Pampaloite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pampaloite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pampaloite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AuSbTe
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 9.33 g/cm³
- Colors
- No internal reflections
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline aggregates
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In open space between the gangue minerals in late hydrothermal Au-Te-Sb deposits in quartz-feldspar schist and porphyry dikes
Where rockhounds find pampaloite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pampalo gold mine (also called the Ward prospect), 65 km east of Joensuu and 46 km north of Ilomantsi village, eastern Finland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In open space between the gangue minerals in late hydrothermal Au-Te-Sb deposits in quartz-feldspar schist and porphyry dikes. If you start seeing gold, frohbergite, altaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pampaloite?+
Where is pampaloite found?+
Is pampaloite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pampaloite?+
What minerals are found with pampaloite?+
What kind of rock does pampaloite form in?+
What is pampaloite used for?+
Find pampaloite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
